Abstract:
The global forest has been declining from year to year due to human and natural factors. The
Yayo district in southwest Ethiopia which is a biodiversity hotspot area historically
containing a rich diversity of wild Coffee arabica cultivars and Afromontane forest species of
commercial and scientific values. To address the problems of deforestation and forest
degradation in the area, different protection strategies have been implemented through
government and community in a coordinated manner. PFM plays an essential role to
contributes natural resource conservation, income diversification and enhancing welfare of
smallholder farmers. This study investigated the factors affecting farmers participation on
participatory forest management in Yayo coffee forest. Two stage sampling procedures were
used to select sample households for data collection. A total of 120 sample households were
randomly selected. Data collection were used through group discussion, key informant
interviews and transect walks in the study area. Descriptive and inferential statistics Model
were used to identify variables determining decision-making Behavior of small holder farmers
and empirical estimation of the econometric model, multicollinearity test for both continuous
and dummy/categorical variables were conducted to check possible associations among
independent variables. Both quantitative and qualitative data was collected from primary and
secondary sources. The descriptive and inferential statistics models were used to analyze
perception of household, and the level of participation in PFM, respectively. Among 12
explanatory variables hypothesized to determine farmer’s decision to participate
participatory forest management, the major top five ranked constraints face sample
household during participation process found to be statistically significant. The result shows
that duration of residence, perception house hold, forest distance from home and market, total
annual income were affected farmer’s participation. The study suggested the need tocreate a
sense of ownership for farmers, strengthening existing benefit schemes and creating others
benefit related to the forest resources improvement of rural infrastructures and timely
providing information to improve household’s participation in PFM practices.
